ME Consultant February 2020

Nikoleta Stefanaki says architects have to push sustainable design

ON TOPIC

Marcus Taylor on regional recruitment trends and intricacies

IN PRACTICE

Women in Construction: Aurecon’s Joylyn Dela Cruz

ON SITE FEBRUARY 2020

067

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST

Matthew Sexton and Laila Al-Yousuf on SAY’s early days and their plans for the future

Having Their SAY

Licensed by Dubai Development Authority

Contents | 01

22

February 2020 Issue 067

Cover Story

Having Their SAY Jason Saundalkar speaks to SAY Studio’s Matthew Sexton and Laila Al-Yousuf about the firm’s early days – its initial projects, market trends and expansion plans

36

Interview

Making the Right Match Jason Saundalkar discusses recruitment trends and intricacies in the construction industry with TSM & FifthEdge’s Marcus Taylor

Site Visit

30 meconstructionnews.com

Heart of the Palm

Gavin Davids visits Nakheel’s Palm Tower, a $326.6m mixed-use development that is set to become the focal point for the Palm Jumeirah when it opens to the public February 2020

02 | Contents

42

Analysis

Cairo Q3 Snapshot

JLL weighs in on the supply and performance of Cairo’s residential, office and hotel sectors in Q3 2019

12 Profile

Joylyn Dela Cruz Jason Saundalkar talks to Joylyn Dela Cruz, BIM engineer at Aurecon, about her influences, career and gender diversity in the construction industry

Opinion

Sustainable Architecture AECOM’s Nikoleta Stefanaki says that architects have a responsibility to push sustainable and resilient design, and that cities and communities have to be made more efficient

10

18

Update

News

King Abdulaziz International Airport to become fully operational by Ramadan 2020; Bahrain’s Crown Prince lays foundation stone for new exhibition centre; Masdar inks deal for solar project in Azerbaijan February 2020

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It’s time for the gloves to come off January seems to have gone on forever, and there are more than enough memes popping up on the Interweb to confirm that I’m not the only one who feels this way. I’m not complaining, however; it was a very productive month for team Middle East Consultant (MEC).

Perhaps the biggest highlight of the month was visiting hotel after hotel, with the goal of finding the perfect venues for our various conferences and networking events. One of the other highlights was being able to explore the newly opened Address Sky View – I think I’ve found my new favourite rooftop hangout.

Of course, 2020 is going to be a landmark year for Dubai thanks to the launch of Expo 2020, but both MEC and Big Project Middle East are also stepping up and doing more events than ever before. There’s clearly an appetite to consume as well as share knowledge within the region, and given the success of our various events in 2019, we felt the time was right to grow our roster further.

In fact, you won’t have to wait too long for the first MEC event. The third edition of our Value Engineering Summit is scheduled to take place on March 30, and I’m already feverishly February 2020

working away on researching the topics for this conference. Following this summit, we’ll then be hosting our annual Contractors vs Consultants Cup on April 8, and then, just before the holy month of Ramadan, we’ll be hosting the second edition of the Women in Construction Summit on April 15.

As always, I’m keen to hear from all of you about topics that you think are critical and deserve to be debated in a constructive way. With the Women in Construction (WIC) Summit, this year I’m placing a lot more emphasis on driving change in the industry.

Between the interviews and features in the magazine and our various WIC events, I think we’ve brought a lot of issues into public view – but now it’s time for actual change on the ground.

There are already a number of ideas on the table with regard to this, and I’m pleased to report that there’s already been positive feedback from several companies. While it’s too early to reveal anything at the moment, rest assured you’ll hear about it at the Summit on April 15. Of course, you’ll also be able to keep up to date with progress in future issues of MEC.

Jason Saundalkar Editor, Middle East Consultant

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HOW WE CAN ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT WITHIN THE UAE’S CONSTRUCTION MARKET

Work begins on multiple municipal service projects in Bahrain

Anyone in the industry knows that we have a problem with staff retention but I’ve never seen a statistic as stark as four workers are leaving for every one that joins (How

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we can attract and retain

Water security and digitisation high on Acciona’s agenda at WFES

talent within the UAE’s construction market).

Holding onto our labour isn’t a problem unique

Interview: We need to empower SMC firms, says UAE BIM’s AbouAlfa

to the region. In fact, the western world has a major problem in recruiting young people into construction which is why the migration

CONSTRUCTION

of workers has become

RTA to leverage drones for inspection of Dubai Metro tunnels

a political hot potato in some countries. Clearly the environment here is tough on-site and the salaries relatively inferior to some other regions, but we really need to be upskilling our workforce and supporting them with

MACHINERY

training and better health

Mammoet installs 740t reactor at Sohar refinery

facilities. Offering not just a salary but an opportunity to maximise the potential of everyone on site will benefit your business and could be the start of a mature labour market here which will help the industry

CONSTRUCTION

W Motors begins construction of $100m facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis

February 2020

Earthmoving Report: Al-Bahar introduces Caterpillar’s game changers

as a whole in the long term.

Name withheld by request

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8 | On Topic

Technology

RTA to use drones to inspect Dubai Metro tunnels A trial that will see drones inspecting Dubai Metro tunnels extending 14km on the Red and Green lines has been announced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The use of drones enables precise and fast inspection of the condition of assets, said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, directorgeneral and chairman of the RTA. He added that drones reduce inspection time, enable accessibility to challenging areas and can generate accurate reports about the condition of tunnels. He made the remarks during a visit to the Dubai Metro Depot at Al Rashidiya, accompanied by the CEO of the Rail Agency, Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, and several directors and engineers.

“This initiative, which is in line with Smart Dubai Strategy 2021, uses custommade drones fitted with multiple cameras enabling pictorial monitoring of tunnels via high-definition lenses. It also enables the inspection of tunnel walls through infrared radiation. The technology generates instant reports easing the assessment of the condition of assets, monitoring the maintenance works and detecting faults. The process is linked with RTA’s Maintenance Department and provides a paperless digital inspection platform that curbs potential human errors,” explained Al Tayer.

Al Tayer also reviewed initiatives and projects undertaken by the Rail Agency to improve the operation and maintenance of the Dubai Metro, such as the trial run of using nanotechnology at Noor Bank Station.

Ground Breaking

01

W Motors begins construction of $100m facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis 01 The use of drones reduces inspection times and enables access to challenging areas of the Metro, the RTA says.

W Motors has laid the foundation stone for its W Motors Automotive Facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis. The facility will be built at a cost of $100.7m and is expected to spread over 120,000sqft in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

The ground-breaking event, at which Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), laid the foundation stone, was attended by Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, vice chairman and CEO of DSOA, and Ralph R Debbas, W Motors founder and CEO.

02

02 Following the completion of the new Dubai facility, all W Motors vehicles will be produced there.

February 2020

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 9

03

The first phase of the project is set to be completed by 2020, following which the production of all W Motors vehicles will move to this location.

“The comprehensive geo-economic map of the emirate is being developed by the Dubai Free Zones Council, in line with the Fifty-Year Charter launched earlier by Sheikh Mohammed. It will accelerate the drive for further economic diversification and give it more momentum, and free zones like Dubai Silicon Oasis will continue to be the hub of choice for cutting-edge companies looking for advanced business ecosystems that provide full traction for launches and growth locally, regionally and globally,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

Debbas explained, “This takes us a big step closer to vastly developing the automotive industry within the region – and specifically aligning with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in innovation. We have worked closely with the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority to bring our production facility to life; now the countdown to opening our doors is on!” meconstructionnews.com

03 VHO transportation can operate at speeds of more than 1,000km/h and could carry 45m passengers a year across the GCC.

Transportation

VHO says transport system can have zero direct emissions

emissions. In a statement ahead of the World Future Energy Summit, the company said that the hyperloop, which is capable of travelling at speeds of more than 1,000km/h, can connect all Gulf cities within an hour.

It added that the system can move 45m passengers a year, while also leveraging solar panels which cover the tube for power.

This was revealed as the company participated at this year’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a global platform that seeks to accelerate sustainable development. The annual event took place in Abu Dhabi from January 11-18. VHO was presenting at ADSW’s headline event, the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), to discuss what it will be like to travel in the 21st century.

VHO CEO Jay Walder said: “As cities around the world feel the impacts of climate change, we need viable solutions.

Transportation is one of the biggest areas that needs to be addressed. Yet we have seen little progress since the introduction of the railway and commercial air travel.

“At VHO, we are committed to a massive leap forward to offset the impacts of vehicle, train and air travel in a way that no current technology can. We estimate that per passenger, hyperloop is 50% more energy-efficient than high-speed rail and up to 10 times more than flying. As a result, all Gulf cities could be less than an hour away from each other, powered by a zero-emission network that is energy neutral and could be completely unplugged from the grid in the Middle East.”

VHO’s clean energy solution is in line with the UAE’s Federal Energy Strategy 2050, the company said. It explained that the solution supports the strategy’s goals to increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix from 25% to 50% by 2050, and reduce the carbon footprint of power generation by 70%, thus saving $190.5bn by 2050.

Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) has said that its system can be powered completely offgrid in the Middle East, with zero direct February 2020

10 | On Topic

Infrastructure

King Abdulaziz International Airport to become fully operational by Ramadan 2020 The new King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is expected to become fully operational by Ramadan 2020, according to Ibrahim Al-Ruasa from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

According to a report by the Saudi Gazette citing Al-Ruasa, the airport currently offers 27

04

destinations, with the number of departing and arriving flights at the airport reaching 4,900 with 654,000 passengers.

Commenting on work that remains, AlRuasa pointed out that three bridges must be built and confirmed that the private sector will soon operate Terminal One, with GACA carrying out the privatisation strategy. He noted customers will receive a 50% discount on parking tickets, if the fee is paid via selfservice machines. The move is a response to complaints over higher parking fees.

05

04 Over 2.5m passengers have travelled on some 30,000 flights since Terminal One opened in May 2018.

Ground Breaking

Bahrain’s Crown Prince lays foundation stone for new exhibition centre The foundation stone has been laid for the new Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sakhir by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

During the ceremony, the Crown Prince said that rapid development and modernisation confirms that Bahrain is making progress towards achieving its development goals. He also stressed the importance of continuing to promote Bahrain as a key tourism and investment destination, to support the development led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

February 2020

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 11

05 The new project will include a 4,500sqm conference hall divided into three separate high-tech rooms.

Renewable energy

The project is being built on a 309,000sqm plot and will consist of a 149,000sqm main building which will include 10 exhibition areas totalling 95,000sqm, along with dedicated areas for retail and events.

The facility is also said to include a 4,500sqm conference hall divided into three separate high-tech rooms, in addition to 27 small and medium-sized conference and meeting rooms.

The Crown Prince noted that the significant growth of the exhibition and convention sector has transformed Bahrain into the destination of choice for several high-level international and regional events, as well as corporate activities. He emphasised that the centre reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to increase competitiveness, contribute to economic diversification and growth and meet the aspirations of Bahraini citizens.

Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support that the Crown Prince has shown towards the project. He added that it will significantly strengthen the Kingdom’s event infrastructure and enable Bahrain to host more large events in the future. He concluded by saying that the convention centre will be a model site characterised by imposing infrastructure as well as the highest standards in technology and service.

Masdar has inked a deal with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy to design, finance, build and operate a 200MW utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) project 75km southwest of Baku. The financial close of the project is expected at the end of 2020, with commercial operations expected to kick off in 2022.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony held in Baku, by Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, in the presence of Prime Minister Ali Asadov of Azerbaijan.

Shahbazov commented, “The diversification of electricity production via utilising renewable energy sources is one of the main priorities of focus by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. By signing this agreement, from now on we are starting a new phase in the renewable

meconstructionnews.com

Masdar inks deal to develop 200MW solar project in Azerbaijan

energy sector of Azerbaijan. Our cooperation with Masdar, as one of our first foreign partners in the renewable energy sector, will make a contribution to achieve our goals regarding sustainable and clean energy, and facilitate to deliver our shared interests.”

According to a statement, the renewable energy project supports Azerbaijan’s goal of producing 30% of its domestic power from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, added, “Today’s signing marks a major step forward for Azerbaijan and its ambitions to diversify its energy mix.

As a global leader in the development of commercially viable renewable energy projects in more than 30 countries, Masdar is honoured to partner with the Republic of Azerbaijan to develop the landmark 200MW solar project.

With more than a decade of experience, we are also proud to be supporting the government of Azerbaijan and its clean energy transition.”

06 The 200MW project supports Azerbaijan’s goal of producing 30% of its domestic power from renewable energy sources by 2030.

06

February 2020

12 | On Topic

Cairo Q3 Snapshot JLL comments on the supply and performance of Cairo’s residential, office and hotel sectors in Q3 2019 All sectors of the market performed positively in Q3 2019. The residential sector is stabilising and absorbing the shock of Q1 and Q2’s slump in performance, with more developers looking at western Cairo as a promising destination for new projects.

Prime office rents continue to rise as more businesses seek to enter the market in Egypt, and vacancy rates have declined significantly due to the lack of additional office supply over the past 12 months. Further progress on the New Administrative Capital (NAC) is driving the continued shift to the east of the city, which is applying upwards pressure on rental rates in locations within New Cairo.

Retail rents have also continued to increase as new market entrants are attracting more footfall. The retail market has also benefited from the opening of the Almaza City Centre in Q3 2019. The Cairo hotel market continues to perform strongly, recording a 14% growth in Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2018, with occupancy rates increasing to 73% in the YT August.

With limited new supply and increased visitor arrivals, the Cairo hotel market is expected to perform strongly over the next 12 months.

February 2020

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 13

meconstructionnews.com

February 2020

14 | On Topic

Cairo residential supply, 2017-2021 (thousand units) Current supply

New Cairo apartment prices

Future supply

240

5%

8%

Rent Y-o-Y

Sales Y-o-Y

200

Cairo office supply, 2017-2021 (million sqm of GLA) Current supply

Future supply

1.25

1.00 12-month outlook

160

0.75 New Cairo villa prices

120

80

24%

2%

Rent Y-o-Y

Sales Y-o-Y

0.50

No new residential supply was delivered to the market in Q3 2019. Around 11,000 units were scheduled to complete by the end of 2019. Two of Egypt’s biggest residential developers, SODIC and Emaar, have recently announced new gated community projects in the west of Cairo (The Estates and Emaar West respectively).

The increased interest in the west reflects the lower land prices and therefore better affordability compared to New Cairo. 2020 could potentially witness an unprecedented increase in residential supply, with 46,700 units proposed. However, we remain cautious on the delivery of projects within their timeframe.

Villa sale prices in the secondary market continued to increase in Q3 2019, by 13% in New Cairo and 11% in 6th of October. On an annual basis, villa prices increased at a faster rate in 6th of October, registering 24% growth, while sale prices in New Cairo grew by just 2% y-o-y.

February 2020

Average rental rates increased across both villas and apartments during Q3 2019, with the only exception being villa rents in 6th of October (which recorded a 2% decline q-o-q due to newly launched projects at relatively competitive prices and flexible payment plans). Villa rents performed strongly over the past year, increasing by 24% in New Cairo. Further growth in rents is anticipated in New Cairo over the next 12 months, while rents in 6th of October are expected to remain largely unchanged.

2021

2020

2019

2018

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Residential Supply & Performance

12-month outlook

2017

0.25

40

Office Supply & Performance

No new office buildings were delivered in Q3 2019, leaving the total office stock in Cairo at around 1.1m sqm of GLA. A further 23,000sqm of GLA was expected to be completed in Q4 2019, with around 156,000sqm of office space potentially later in 2020.

As the market is witnessing high absorption rates, a number of new projects and extensions of existing ones have recently been announced, mostly in western Cairo.

These are mostly mixed-use developments with ground floor retail options and offices and clinics on the upper floors.

Developers are focusing on delivering more flexible office space. Samcrete recently acquired the American University in Cairo’s former dorms in Zamalek, to create a mixed-use development including co-working space. Another major flex-space operator is currently seeking sites to roll out its city-wide expansion plans. Flexible offices may also emerge as an attractive meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 15

Cairo office vacancy rate

Cairo hotel supply, 2017-2021 (thousand rooms) Current supply

14%

5%

2018

2019

Cairo hotel occupancy

Future supply

25

70%

73%

2018

2019

20 12-month outlook

12-month outlook

15 Cairo office rents (USD sqm/annum)

298

325

Q3 2018

Q3 2019

Cairo hotel ADR (USD)

10

95

104

2018

2019

option for companies from Cairo to the New Administrative Capital.

Office rents in the centre and east Cairo have risen by between 7% and 9% this past quarter. New Cairo (Cairo Festival City) and Downtown Cairo (Nile City Towers) are competing as the prime office location.

New Cairo offers a more modern business district and closer proximity to the New Administrative Capital, while Nile City Towers offers a downtown location bordering the overhauled Maspero Triangle.

Office rents in western Cairo have risen drastically (by as much as 11%), thanks to strong demand in both existing highend gated communities (such as SODIC’s Polygon) and other recently announced projects. The average vacancy rate across Cairo dropped to 5% in Q3 2019, reflecting strong demand and limited new supply.

meconstructionnews.com

2021

2020

2019

2018

12-month outlook

2017

5

Hotel Supply & Performance

The hotel sector saw no new completions in Q3 2019, with the total stock of hotel keys remaining unchanged at 23,500. This is partly due to developers turning their attention to resort destinations elsewhere in Egypt.

As west Cairo gears up to become the tourist hub of the capital, new hotel developments are making their way to Cairo’s future supply. Hyatt Regency Cairo West (Al Dau), expected to open in Q4 2020, will bring 242 rooms next to the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Performance in the Cairo hotel market continued to improve in Q3, with occupancy rates increasing by 300 basis points to 73% in the YT August 2019, compared to 70% in the YT August 2018. Average daily rates (ADR) increased to $104 in the YT August 2019 (almost 10% higher than in August 2018). As a result, revenues per available room (RevPAR) have increased by 14%. On the back of these healthy performance metrics, promotional campaigns abroad and regulatory reforms

12-month outlook

within the industry in Egypt (E-TRP), we remain positive in our outlook for the sector.

Recent renovations of tourist attractions such as the Baron Palace, combined with innovative concepts designed by local entrepreneurs, such as URentX, are diversifying and improving Egypt’s tourist appeal. The long-awaited completion of the Grand Egyptian Museum (due to open before the end of 2020) and the proposed Disneyland on the north coast (with investment of some $3.3bn from a US/Saudi consortium) will further boost the hospitality sector in coming years.

February 2020

16 | On Topic

01 Martin Vallance is the head of Digital Asset Management and Operations, Middle East & Africa at Atkins, a member of the SNCLavalin Group.

01

Airports are home to one of the widest and most complex asset bases to be found within any industry. From conventional mechanical and electrical equipment to specialist airfield lighting, fuelling and security systems, the diversity, safety implications and reputational impact of asset failures present unique challenges for airports worldwide.

Airport operators increasingly want to know what technologies and solutions they can leverage alongside their existing enterprise asset management systems, to mitigate the risks and enhance the performance of their assets in an increasingly capital-constrained market. Devising solutions that can cater for critical services’ resilience, asset reliability and February 2020

Martin Vallance “Devising solutions that can cater for improved asset investment planning for future operational expenditure is an area that more and more airports are looking to exploit” improved asset investment planning for future capital and operational expenditure is an area that more and more airports are looking to exploit.

Maximising the useful life of existing assets, with overhauls, refurbishments, replacements and enhancements timed to optimise financial and performance benefits, is critical. Further application of investment ‘what-if ’ analysis allows airports of all sizes to make optimal decisions, at the right time, on their most critical assets. Maintenance and renewal decisions have an overwhelming bearing on the safety, performance, cost and availability of airport infrastructure – infrastructure relied upon by employees, airlines and passengers.

To meet the challenges faced by airports across the Middle East, Atkins has developed a set of asset investment planning decision support capabilities. Here, it was important that these tools look at everything from intervention decisions such as replacement, refurbishment and overhaul – based on a combination of physical condition, performance and cost of maintenance inputs – to comprehensive asset condition data capture for physical condition assessments.

The system also covers useful life profiling of all airport asset types; asset replacement values with components supporting different intervention strategies; and algorithms to decide intervention options, computed values,

asset replacement values, and remaining useful life and asset degradation profiles.

It’s worth noting that a solution like this cannot be designed in isolation. It requires a multi-disciplinary team approach with representation from projects, finance, frontline engineering, operations and maintenance teams. The outputs which feed into the asset investment planning capability reflect the priorities of each of these teams – they present information that is easily accessible and gives engineers the confidence to validate and present evidence for their investment proposals.

The use of a smart digital tool as part of this solution not only allows all the required modelling, condition and investment inputs to be visualised in a single, easy-to-use application, but also the automation of the linking of these inputs to remove the labourintensive manual activities of the past. This is an excellent example of technology that both supports and enhances the foundational engineering know-how crucial to such projects.

When successfully implemented, condition assessment and asset investment planning provide airports with an evidencebased investment projection that is compelling to executives and valuable for managers. It ensures that the right investment is delivered on the right assets at the right time, in a ‘live’ tool that can be added to and refined for years to come. meconstructionnews.com

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

Mechanical, Electrical, IT, Electronics & Wet Services Consulting Dubai - Johannesburg - Cape Town - bengaluru Tel +971 4 338 4277

18 | On Topic

01

01 Nikoleta Stefanaki is an architect at AECOM.

February 2020

Nikoleta Stefanaki “Older structures need to be part of the climate solution. Retrofitting existing buildings offers huge potential to reduce carbon emissions and is far more environment-friendly” Climate change is a fact and we are already facing the consequences. It’s something that will completely change the way we live our lives over the short and long term, so we need to be able to adapt to all possible situations and environments, and imagine new ways of living.

The UAE is one of the countries with the highest rate of vulnerability to climate change effects. Environment experts state that potential impacts of climate change on the UAE include extreme heat, storm surge, sea level rise, water stress, dust and sandstorms.

According to the SEI US Report, the UAE could lose up to 6% of its developed coastline by the end of the century due to rising sea levels. Buildings are a major contributor to global warming, especially in the UAE, where a lot of the air pollution originates from construction sites. Even if we were to stop emitting greenhouse gases today, the climate would continue to suffer the effects and it would take thousands of years for the carbon dioxide to dissipate. A building might last for 100 years or more, but the climate in 100 years will not be the same, so the buildings need to be more resilient and capable of withstanding environmental changes.

As architects, we have the ability and responsibility to provide solutions that

minimise the climate impact of the structures we design. To reduce CO2 emissions from buildings, we need to incorporate low-energy solutions into new buildings and enhance existing structures. Buildings need to be greener and capable of adapting to their surroundings throughout the year.

When designing new buildings, we also need to think of designing living buildings that produce more energy than they consume, as well as ‘pollution-eating’ buildings that can absorb carbon dioxide while producing oxygen. It’s also possible to design buildings that can grow food or use rainwater, and protect the inhabitants at the same time.

Older structures also need to be part of the climate solution. Retrofitting existing buildings offers huge potential to reduce energy and carbon emissions and is a far more environment-friendly way to enhance the quality of the building, rather than demolish low-quality buildings and replace them with carbon-neutral new builds. Circular design is also a sustainable way of designing without undermining the aesthetics – it’s a design method aimed at eliminating waste and the constant use of resources.

Construction materials are where we’ll likely see the biggest changes in the future. meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 19

That is the next big opportunity across the building lifecycle. The construction phase can be made more carbon-neutral by selecting sustainable, locally sourced products and materials, and minimising the amount of waste and water pollution.

Reusing materials is another factor in tackling climate change. There are many different types of materials that can be recycled from construction and demolition projects, such as plasterboard, aggregates, wood, plastics, insulation, floor, wall coverings, glass, metals, bricks and blocks. Biomaterials such as bamboo, wood, smart glass and industrial hemp, as well as advanced bioplastic, bioconcrete and bioadmixtures, will be more commonly used, as will processes like industrial recycling.

The UAE is making great efforts on both global and local levels in all aspects of climate change by controlling emissions, increasing energy efficiency and undertaking many other steps. But we all need to work together – contractors, clients and supply chains supported by financiers, policy makers, governments and the general public.

A thorough understanding and awareness of climate change and its effects is vital. We need to provide clients with methodologies that define threats in order to help them manage costs, develop effective risk management strategies, improve resilience and achieve higher profitability.

A re-evaluation of the standard design strategies is also necessary to reduce the negative impacts of climate-related hazards, as well as changes in the testing materials by the professional licensing authorities. For instance, in the event of a flood, defensive design strategies are applied for buildings that withstand rising seawater levels.

Additionally, the next generation of architects and engineers need to be focused on climate-adaptive strategies. Educational curriculums must be changed, starting with schools and continuing through to colleges and universities. Green building rating schemes such as LEED and BREEAM are taking steps to tackle climate change; however, these standards have been slow to be embraced. meconstructionnews.com

A building might last for 100 years or more, but the climate in 100 years will not be the same, so the buildings need to be more resilient and capable of withstanding environmental changes”

The Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge, a more stringent programme than LEED, has only fully certified 11 buildings since its creation in 2010. This is a very tiny step forward compared to how quickly the climate is changing around us.

It’s obvious that architecture needs to advance as a profession. This is a very challenging moment where we must create solutions in response to urgent questions in society – buildings that do not operate at a certain level of energy consumption could struggle to attract tenants in the future.

Architects have a responsibility to push sustainable and resilient design, so that they can withstand the upcoming storm metaphorically and literally. We also need to make our cities, communities and buildings more efficient to mitigate the power of those ‘storms’.

It’s imperative that we all embrace a new vision, to adapt to change and shape the world of tomorrow.

February 2020

20 | On Topic

01

01 Niall McLoughlin is senior vice president at DAMAC Properties.

February 2020

Niall McLoughlin “A smarter Dubai benefits its real estate sector through the efficient use of infrastructure, the high volume of rich data, a more engaged population and its appeal to global investors” Dubai is on a mission to become the world’s ‘smartest’ city by 2021, and its revolutionary smart city initiatives are leading to transformational changes in the way people live. In the recently published IMD Smart City Index 2019, Dubai ranked 45th globally, ahead of cities such as Seoul, Barcelona and Paris.

Dubai’s evolution into a smart city is guided by a higher purpose of turning the city into the happiest place on Earth, in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai’s vision. With the people’s happiness as the key performance indicator and the launch of over a hundred smart initiatives and a thousand smart government services, Dubai is well on its way to achieving the objectives of the Smart Dubai 2021 strategy.

The relationship between the evolution of Dubai as a smart city and its real estate sector is symbiotic. On the one hand, developers need to aid the city’s transformation strategy by integrating smart technologies and datadriven insights to design, construct and manage developments more efficiently. On the other hand, a smarter Dubai benefits its real estate sector via the use of infrastructure, the high volume of rich data, a more engaged population and its appeal to global investors.

Consequently, Dubai’s real estate developers have started to embrace technology at a pace that was once alien to the industry.

Luxury real estate developers, including DAMAC Properties, have been at the forefront of technology adoption in Dubai’s real estate sector and have championed a strategy that takes into account the future needs and aspirations of a smart and happy Dubai.

As an example, to use data to serve customers better, DAMAC has migrated customer data to Salesforce, an integrated CRM platform that enables the different functions within the organisation to view the customers more clearly. By incorporating strategic data insights into its approach to better connect with residents and investors, the firm has introduced ‘Hello DAMAC’, a one-stop online self-service platform that enables residents to access essential property-related services on the go.

On the supply side, DAMAC Properties has also achieved 70% time savings by integrating building information modelling (BIM) in construction. BIM gives designers, architects and construction professionals the information and tools to plan, design, build and manage buildings more efficiently.

By implementing a BIM strategy, DAMAC has also been able to control costs more meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 21

While Dubai has come a long way in its smart city strategy, its ambitions for the future remain robust.

While technology and evolving human aspirations are driving the current trends in smart city planning and execution, to ensure the sustainability of the smart city initiative and the digital transformation as a whole, we need a skilled workforce that can drive the future.

By supporting Dubai Future Foundation’s One Million Arab Coders initiative, the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation aims to empower young Emiratis and Arabs with skills that are imperative for the future of work. The initiative will play a pivotal role in developing the capabilities of our future workforce, which in turn will contribute to the digital transformation of the UAE and other countries in the Middle East.

Dubai is a model for smart city planning in the region and around the world. Behind its success across various verticals are the wise leaders of the country, who have created an environment conducive for innovation. While encouraging private sector developers to adopt an innovative approach, the government also spearheads the digital transformation of the sector.

In 2017, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) became the world’s first government entity to adopt blockchain technology. The department created a smart and secure database to record all real estate contracts and link them with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the telecommunications system and various property-related bills.

In 2019, the DLD launched the Manzil initiative within the framework of a strategic partnership between public and private sectors to develop the real estate market of Dubai. Manzil features a calculator that provides residents with a list of properties based on various factors such as personal income, savings and location.

Supported by a model for smart governance, Dubai is working round the clock to transform itself into a city of the future. Incredible innovation in information & communication technology (ICT) integration, a progressive government and regulatory reforms are fuelling Dubai’s emergence as one of the smartest cities in the world. meconstructionnews.com

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22 | In Practice

Having Their SAY Jason Saundalkar speaks to SAY Studio’s Matthew Sexton and Laila Al-Yousuf about the firm’s early days – its initial projects, market trends and expansion plans

01 SAY is short for Sexton Al-Yousuf. The two founders were previously colleagues at another design firm in Dubai.

February 2020

SAY Studio was established in the first half of 2018 and offers interior design, architecture/graphics and branding services. The studio was founded by Matthew Sexton and Laila Al-Yousuf, who had previously worked together at Perkins+Will in Dubai. Sexton is SAY’s managing director, while Al-Yousuf is the firm’s design director.

The design firm works across a variety of sectors including F&B, hospitality, residential, retail and workplaces. In October 2018, SAY won its first job, to deliver a new corporate headquarters space in ICD Brookfield Place.

Asked for an overview of business in 2019, Sexton comments, “2019 has been an interesting year for SAY Studio. We established ourselves within the corporate interiors sector with some high-profile projects and have diversified into new sectors such as F&B and hospitality. Our team has more than doubled in size since the start of the year, and we have just started the fit-out for our new Dubai office to accommodate that growth. Overall, 2019 has been a very positive year for us.

“2020 for SAY Studio will see its biggest growth yet. Specifically, we expect our growth to be most prominent across the UAE, within the hospitality sector and especially across refurbishment and upgrade projects. In terms meconstructionnews.com

01

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24 | In Practice

of new locations, we see opportunities across the GCC and northern Africa. Closer to home, Abu Dhabi’s share of the construction pipeline is anticipated to grow in the next few years, as the government prioritises efforts to expand the emirate’s economic base beyond oil.”

Discussing Abu Dhabi, Sexton notes that the city has growth ambitions in the commercial infrastructure space. “The government aims to attract 7.9m tourists annually by 2030 under the Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan, up from 4.4m in 2016.

What that translates to is a significant increase in room keys. In addition, the emirate is looking to expand its retail and office space to 4m sqm and 7.5m sqm respectively by 2030, up from

02

03

February 2020

2.5m and 1.5m sqm in 2013. This is another key focus area for SAY Studio.” Watch this space, Sexton says.

Describing the first six months of business, he notes, “Having previously worked for some of the largest design firms in the world, the first six months consisted of the realisation it takes a lot to make a business run smoothly, efficiently and effectively. We were back to basics and small things like IT issues became apparent.

That said, creating solid infrastructure is crucial for any business, and we’ve enjoyed implementing our unique ways of working.

“In terms of surprises, it was the market response. We had anticipated slow growth but

found ourselves inundated with enquiries from the start. This was, and still is, testament to the strong relationships we’d built over the years and an acknowledgment of the design talent we brought to the table.”

Summarising market conditions over the last three years, Sexton is upbeat, stating that construction awards have increased.

“Having launched SAY Studio recently, we’ve only really seen the market do a steady overall incline in terms of construction awards. The total value of the UAE’s contract awards in 2017 amounted to $28.6bn, and in 2018 it was $31.6bn, according to the Mordor Intelligence Report. Currently, Dubai attracts a lot of positive attention, owing to the numerous ongoing infrastructure projects to accommodate the needs of big upcoming events, such as Expo 2020. Expo 2020 has driven a substantial amount of the region’s tourism. In that direction, the United Arab Emirates has kicked off large-scale leisure projects such as new hotels in Dubai South and Dubailand.”

Questioned about the firm’s ethos and focus, Sexton says the firm believes in fundamental principles such as design quality, design value and user experience. “The second of these has become more apparent than ever over the last twelve months, with projects becoming increasingly cost-conscious. As a business, we stay agile, which allows us to adapt to our clients’ needs, providing innovative solutions irrespective of the budgets. Key changes we’ve also made in order to adapt have been to diversify both in sector and geography.”

Speaking about the sectors that SAY Studios plays in, and which (apart from hospitality) holds the most potential for business growth, Sexton remarks, “We’ve seen growth as a business in several sectors, most notably workplace (corporate offices), F&B and retail; however the driving factors vary significantly. It’s no secret that the real estate market isn’t at its strongest, and while this may lead one to believe the economy is suffering, in some ways it encourages economic investment.

“Businesses are inevitably attracted by the prospect of lower rental costs and are reinvesting in their corporate portfolios.

This, coupled with the release of several meconstructionnews.com

04

grade A buildings across Dubai, has led to significant movement from clients moving from their existing premises to new mixed-use developments. A lot more of these buildings have integrated F&B and retail, which provides a steady revenue stream and as such attracts more business to move or expand into these areas. The Innovation Hub in Internet City, The Onyx in Tecom and ICD Brookfield in DIFC are just a few of these new developments.”

Asked which project he classifies as a signature space, Sexton explains, “In 2019 we designed the new flagship office for PricewaterhouseCoopers. This 17,000sqm commercial office will align the client’s agile working philosophy with their global standards.

As the project is also being designed to WELL standards, it will pave the way for well-being in the workplace for years to come. The project is due for completion in Q2 2020.”

Market Nuances

Market conditions and changing customer appetites have had a pronounced impact on the requirements of clients and developers. Asked about this new norm, Al-Yousuf responds, “Truth be told, projects nearly always start with an ambition to achieve something special, whether it is budget-driven or not. The main meconstructionnews.com

02 The firm was responsible for interior design and MEP services on the 2,400m 2 Hewlett Packard Enterprise office.

03 The technology firm wanted a space that represented its culture, while embracing local heritage.

04 The Hewlett Packard Enterprise office is located in The Innovation Hub - Dubai.

It was completed in August 2019.

The first six months consisted of the realisation it takes a lot to make a business run smoothly, efficiently and effectively. We were back to basics”

difference we have seen is the functional change of spaces. There is a lot more consolidation, refurbishment and repurposing. This is an exciting development within the market. If you look at London, for example, some of the most iconic projects fall within these categories.

“Another trend impacting UAE construction is smart cities. This strategy will be implemented across the UAE, with a major focus on Dubai. By 2021, the UAE government plans on making Dubai the world’s smartest city. Everything from smart transportation solutions to free, pan-city, high-speed WiFi will be implemented to help enhance Dubai’s reputation and investment capabilities. This will impact construction trends.”

The refurbishment market has been active across the UAE, as a result of changing appetites and/or a desire by clients and developers to keep older assets up to date and performing well. Asked about some of the challenges with refurbishments, Al-Yousuf says they differ from sector to sector.

“Within hospitality there is a greater emphasis on value for money, so the challenges come through delivering a five-star experience within a more modest budget. This requires an extensive knowledge of materials and how to best utilise existing elements and repurpose February 2020

26 | In Practice

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06

February 2020

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In Practice | 27

these to suit. Within the workplace sector, the challenges can come from the existing architectural structure and sometimes a lack of base-build information.”

Al-Yousuf says the firm has addressed this challenge by investing in the latest surveying technologies, which allow the production of accurate drawings via laser scanning systems.

“We’ve found that this can actually save money, as we are able to identify pre-existing issues and resolve them before we actually get to the construction phase.”

In a bid to align with various government visions and agendas, there’s an increased focus on projects that are smart and incorporate sustainable elements. Discussing the effect this has had on the design of spaces, Sexton explains, “We’ve been delivering sustainably conscious projects for almost a decade now, and it’s amazing to see the level of commitment from our clients when it comes to sustainable responsibility. What we are seeing more of is sustainable architecture, which is fantastic.

It makes the job of the interior designer that much easier when working within a welldesigned, sustainable building.

“Aside from this, we have seen a big push towards WELL over the last 12-18 months.

In fact, we have designed over 25,000sqm of WELL offices in the last year alone. One of my favourite things about the UAE is how quickly it embraces new and innovative ideas. We can go from newly informed to global champions in a matter of months. This is exactly what has happened with the WELL design principles.”

Commenting on the penetration of WELL Building Standards, some of the elements that designers have to pay attention to when designing spaces and how it differs from other standards such as LEED, Sexton says, “WELL is an interesting subject and something that is becoming increasingly popular. The main difference between the implementation of WELL and LEED is that it’s a lot more peoplecentric. This means that the consultant and client need to work closely together throughout the entire process and beyond.

“There are elements that fall within the consultant’s scope, such as acoustics and daylight, but there are also many operational commitments from the client side, such as the meconstructionnews.com

provision of healthy foods and discounted gym memberships. As you can imagine, the impact of this goes far beyond the project’s life as it encourages everyone to consider making healthier choices, not just at work but in their personal lives also.”

Positive View

2020 is expected to be a landmark year for the UAE, and Dubai in particular, as the city makes its final preparations for Expo 2020, set to open on October 20. The mega event is expected to attract more than 25m visitors from around the globe, a portion of which the city expects will take up residence.

05 SAY Studio delivered interior design and MEP services for the Abu Dhabi School of Government office.

06 The 4,000m 2 office was completed in October 2018 and is located in the ADIB Building in Abu Dhabi.

07 Sexton has previously held positions at Perkins+Will, Gensler, PF Emirates and Condy Lofthouse Architects.

07

February 2020

28 | In Practice

Sexton is optimistic about the future: “The construction sector in the UAE is expected to grow between 6% and 10% in 2020, according to data from a recent KPMG survey. So the market is looking far more positive than negative, we think. There are the usual concerns about being able to deliver projects on time and within budget, and with so many Expo projects with looming deadlines, I think this will be rattling a fair few execs.

“However, the use of innovative technology in the UAE to make construction both safer and more efficient is a real plus for 2020.

Digital modular fabrication will likely be the technology to be implemented and have the greatest impact on the construction industry in the next 10 years. Intelligent construction equipment and robots are also products I expect to see at the Expo and predict to have a significant impact.”

Pressed further on technology that will have an impact on design and construction in the future, Sexton explains, “We have invested heavily in technology, as we believe it is a tool to communicate. This may be between designers in realising ever more complex ideas, but also as a tool to communicate with clients. BIM, in whatever form it is being used, has changed our industry for the better. Having said this, at SAY Studio we still see the value in the oldfashioned sketch by hand, and we encourage all our designers to start every project with a pencil and paper. Lest we forget, technology is just the tool used to communicate what’s in the mind of the creator.”

Asked about expansion into new markets and where the consultancy is already delivering design services, Sexton says Saudi Arabia is an attractive market. “We’ve collaborated on some really interesting projects in KSA, which is going through an exciting period of growth.

This is a key focus for us over the course of the next few years, as is the case for many other design consultants.

“That said, most of the Middle East and North Africa is also very much on our radar, and having delivered projects there in the past, we are very keen to build upon this experience.

We are already looking at several exciting opportunities, many of which creep into the mega project category, which is testament to February 2020

08

The main difference we have seen is the functional change of spaces. There is a lot more consolidation, refurbishment and repurposing. This is an exciting development within the market” 08 Al-Yousuf has over eight years of Middle East experience. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

the ambition and investment happening across the MENA region. Countries with strongest pull for us, due to previous or pipeline work, are Nigeria, Ethiopia and slightly further afield still is Kazakhstan.”

Sexton shifts his focus back to Dubai and reaffirms that the market is vibrant and that it is still the place for designers to go to flex their creative muscles.

He concludes, “I’ve had the privilege of watching Dubai evolve over the last decade, and as far as creative hubs go, I doubt one could find a better place to practise the profession of architecture and design than here. While there is an emphasis on costs of late, we shouldn’t forget that this is a natural phase that all major cities go through. It is important that we all remember creativity is not defined by the limits of a budget, but through innovation found within any circumstance.” meconstructionnews.com

Project: The Green Planet, Dubai | Solution: Custom Metal Radial Bulkheads & R-H 200 Ceilings

www.armstrong.ae

30 | In Practice

Making the Right Match Jason Saundalkar discusses recruitment trends and intricacies in the construction industry with TSM & FifthEdge’s Marcus Taylor The dynamic nature of the construction industry in the GCC over the last couple of years has brought a number of issues into sharp focus. One of the most important, given the scale, complexity and accelerated timetables of construction projects, is the acquisition, handling and retention of talent.

In some cases companies have had to dramatically increase their talent pool following a massive contract win, while in other cases a project stalling or being completed has left a company with an idle workforce. In either case, companies have had to tread carefully to ensure their margins and the on-time delivery of projects.

Commenting on recruitment in the construction industry in the last 12 months, Marcus Taylor, CEO of TSM & FifthEdge, explains, “I think many people will be glad to see the back of 2019 and are feeling optimistic about 2020 and the new decade.

While we don’t expect recruitment in the construction sector to change overnight, there are definite signs that things are moving in the right direction.”

February 2020

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February 2020

32 | In Practice

Asked about the biggest recruitment challenges with regards to the regional construction industry, given the turbulent market conditions, Taylor states, “The challenges are the same as they have always been. They are just magnified in times of uncertainty, and even more by the sheer magnitude of the projects that are to be awarded. It’s a make or break for many, and if they score the whale and don’t have the skill sets ready to hire, they will find themselves struggling to deliver what they have promised.”

“Personally, I think it’s the responsibility of the advisory boards to the heads of state to not only consider the feasibility of the projects fiscally, but also the feasibility of the bigger picture: can these projects be delivered at the right quality by the world’s workforce? Does that workforce exist?”

Taylor notes that projects are being awarded on the back of terms of business, following which panic goes down the line to recruiters and HR departments to come up with solutions to the issue of timelines, specification and, the biggest issue, budget.

“Initiatives are all on the table to solve this issue. Transferable skill sets, not being restricted by the working environment of experience – for example, considering contractor background for a client-side role, and even sourcing a workforce from outside the Middle East that doesn’t come with premium requirements.”

01

01 Marcus Taylor is the CEO of TSM & FifthEdge.

02 Taylor says employers should be more openminded about potential candidates, rather than weighting years of experience so heavily.

February 2020

“I’m not an economist, but I do think that for those in our industry who are prepared to be versatile in our location, there is a significant opportunity. We have seen it before when it was Abu Dhabi going though its leap. Sacrifices need to be made and some understanding of the authorities to accommodate for those who have family infrastructure elsewhere in the GCC, or we will not only lose but exclude great talent. Now, as the UAE market becomes more mature, we are seeing major projects such as Expo 2020 Dubai being unable to accommodate the available workforce as they near completion and handover.”

Diversity & Inclusion

In recent years, a focus on driving towards diverse and inclusive workforces has taken centre stage in the construction industry.

While several companies have unveiled programmes and initiatives to achieve diversity and inclusion goals, the industry still has a long way to go.

Taylor comments, “While we aren’t taking leaps and bounds in this department, there is certainly some clear progression. We have been pleasantly surprised to see that some players in some of the geographical regions of growth, who historically wouldn’t have been considered to be leading the efforts in gender diversity in the workplace, have now made a conscious swing to regarding talent not being meconstructionnews.com

In Practice | 33

bound by gender. A significant mark is that this openness has not been restricted to non-senior positions but has instead reached all the way to the board of directors level.”

“As the industry becomes more techsavvy, we can be confident that more and more women are going to be drawn to the construction and engineering sectors, and this generation will be bringing with them the future methodologies and innovations of tomorrow’s building industry. I’m optimistic that we are moving towards a future when gender will become a non-issue, regardless of what position an applicant is applying for.

Hiring decisions will be made based solely on whether a candidate has the right experience

We need to embrace new talent more than ever before to keep up with the exponential leaps in the technology market, which is an area that construction as a sector is still largely in denial about”

and is a good fit, rather than being assessed based on whether he or she will fit into the ‘old boys’ club’.”

Discussing areas of the industry with notable movement in recruitment, Taylor says construction management, design and engineering have led the way, and that nationalisation has also been a driver.

“Many consultancies, whether multi, duel or single disciplinary, have been jostling for many of the announced projects, particularly in the Saudi region. They have looked to manage these projects either in the Kingdom or by utlising resource hubs offshore in the rest of the GCC, Asia, India and South Africa. The large developers have been doing their best to

02

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34 | In Practice

03

attract leaders from big names globally, with in many cases irresistible remuneration packages, which is a familiar story for those who have been in the region for a while.”

He adds, “While many big players are struggling to keep up with the demand to meet the agreed milestones, the smaller teams are finding their space in the battle, particularly with developers whose decisions have been influenced by those who have played the game in the region before, and see the quality versus cost benefits in the long run.”

Taylor says that the rest of the region has largely been finding it difficult to maintain their current workforce as projects come to completion and fewer quality projects that demand a higher level of delivery and engineering are brought online.

“Nationalisation is again the focus in a renewed initiative to develop the local resources, with some great success stories encompassing regional and international talent working together to deliver high-scale projects,” he says.

We need those employers who consider years of experience to be a big part of seniority to stop being so short-sighted.

The youngest bona fide astronaut was 25 years old and the average age of a jet fighter pilot is 34, so why is it mandatory to have 25 years of experience to design a road?”

A New Approach

03 Finding the right talent to work on massive projects is an ongoing challenge for companies in the GCC construction industry.

Taylor has been an active player in the GCC recruitment market since August 2006 and continues to work with a variety of construction firms, including Aurecon, Atkins, Currie February 2020

& Brown, Drees & Sommer, Multiplex and WSP. He says he has identified the challenges companies face in terms of their talent needs.

“Companies are trying to ‘fire fast and hire slow’ to get the best quality, all while being restricted by the ‘30 days is not enough and 30 days is too much’ frustrations, whether seeking replacements or new hires. These are the same issues we’ve had since sending CVs via fax.”

“Employers can throw AI, automation and other toys at the issue and avoid having to depend on an old scary database, but it still does not solve the legacy problem – how employers can engage their talent pool to keep them interested and ensure their data is up to date, while ensuring they are interested to join that firm rather than the 101 others that are constantly knocking on their door. Every ‘follower’ and database in the world isn’t going to guarantee you will be recruitment-ready when the hammer drops,” he cautions.

Taylor is convinced that the industry needs a disruptive change, which is what drove him to conceive of a new recruitment platform – FifthEdge. Once you have that new strategy, the game changer, then you adopt the fantastic technologies to make it amazing, he says.

“That is what we did. We stopped filling ‘jobs’, and instead we built a platform that facilitates a mutually beneficial longmeconstructionnews.com

In Practice | 35

meconstructionnews.com

more dependent on cutting-edge technology to design and deliver projects.

He concludes: “Combined with the ‘been there, seen it’ experience, we need to embrace new talent more than ever before to keep up with the exponential leaps in the technology market, which is an area that construction as a sector is still largely in denial about. I hope that those who are embracing and adopting new technologies will soon overshoot in all-round

WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT

term relationship between a talent pool and employers. It provides both parties with real-time data, along with a front end that’s a very slick combination of candidate sourcing, screening, assessment and criteria matching technology, powered by 12 months of pure construction and engineering data, all categorised and individually evaluated. We then layered on top a team of experts to oversee the entire process and voila, all cost, time, quality legacy issues are solved and I’ve just been made redundant as an overpriced recruiter.”

Questioned about the real-world benefits of the new platform, Taylor remarks, “Simply speaking, you can win a project and not worry about getting the right resources to drive it to completion. Allowing a candidate to have control and transparency on what his or her options are creates an informed and more brand-committed candidate.”

“More so, the platform frees up resources for employers to concentrate on aspects that have been shown to increase offer-toacceptance rates by over 400% and decrease staff attrition rates by more than 300%. These include employer branding, recruitment experience and company culture, which are now the top ROIs of the recruitment and HR department.”

Discussing the future talent pipeline and whether there’s a shortage of young people interested in construction roles, Taylor says he’s not convinced that’s the case, though he is quick to point out that employers have to be open-minded.

“We need those employers and developers who consider years of experience to be a big part of seniority to stop being so short-sighted.

The youngest bona fide astronaut was 25 years old and the average age of a jet fighter pilot is 34, so why is it mandatory to have 25 years of experience to design a road? There is great talent out there, young and old, from all around the world. We are keen on considering more talent with no Middle Eastern experience, and should be expanding our horizons to include the young with quality experience in good environments.”

Taylor believes the construction industry should comprise a mix of fresh and experienced talent, particularly as the industry becomes

value those who have largely been awarded projects because of cost.”

“A suggestion we’ve included in our assessment algorithms is to consult with respected professional membership bodies who are affiliated with courses from specific universities around the world. These students will have had not only accelerated learning in their field but also a higher benchmark in the obtaining of their education certification.”

WIC 15 April 2020, Dubai, UAE

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February 2020

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On Site | 37

Heart of the Palm Gavin Davids visits Nakheel’s Palm Tower, a $326.6m mixed-use development that will become the focal point for the Palm Jumeirah

Visitors and travellers to Dubai often make a beeline to the Palm Jumeirah, home to some of the city’s finest and most extravagant hotels, including the world-famous Atlantis The Palm Hotel and other internationally recognised hospitality giants. Guests can enjoy their breaks in luxury and style, indulging themselves in the best Dubai has to offer. In addition to the plethora of hotels on the Palm, there are several nightspots and restaurants, making it an attractive destination for both residents and visitors.

However, while the Palm has seen several developments launched along the Crescent and on its fronds, the main trunk of the mega development has only seen major developments in recent years, spurred on by master developer Nakheel launching several high-profile projects along its length. These include The Pointe, Nakheel Mall and the eye-catching Palm Tower, a 52-storey hotel and residential complex that will, along with meconstructionnews.com

February 2020

38 | On Site

01

Nakheel Mall, soon become the hub for the Palm Jumeirah.

Situated at the centre of the trunk, the project was visited in the wake of a recent announcement by the developer that construction is nearing completion.

Comprising 432 luxury residences and a fivestar 290-room hotel with a range of dining and leisure facilities, the project is set to become a magnet for both residents and tours.

Among the attractions are a rooftop infinity pool, restaurant and viewing deck, the developer says. Luxury hotel St Regis Dubai – The Palm will occupy the first 18 floors of the building, and the Palm Tower residences will comprise fully furnished studio apartments along with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that will offer views of the Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline.

Furthermore, the tower will have direct access to Nakheel Mall, which was opened on November 28. It will also offer direct access – via bridges and walkways – to Palm Jumeirah’s beach clubs, including Nakheel’s own Club Vista Mare and Palm West Beach projects.

According to the developer, structural work on the tower and the rooftop swimming pool has been completed. Perched 210m above the ground and covering 775sqm, the infinity pool February 2020

01 Trojan General Contracting set out specific safety requirements for the project, and had five safety advisors on hand at all times.

02 The top of the tower will feature an observatory that will offer 360-degree views of the Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai skyline.

The Palm Tower is a lifestyle project and that is what Dubai wants today; the views are naturally going to be waterfront and that is a unique opportunity we have. It’s important to emphasise that this tower is an iconic address”

on the 50th floor of the Palm Tower will be one of the highest in the world, holding 930,000 litres of water. It will border four sides of the building and feature panoramic views across the Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf.

Above the pool will be a podium housing a speciality restaurant on the 51st floor, while the 52nd floor will house a 240m-high public viewing deck. Named the View at the Palm, the observation deck sits on top of the tower and will be accessible from Nakheel Mall. It will feature an interactive museum which the developer says will tell the story behind the making of the man-made island, as well as a VIP lounge and areas for private events, and will have its own elevator access.

Designed by Gensler, the steel structure for the observation deck is currently being constructed. A fit-out contract for the project has been awarded and construction is expected to be completed this year.

For the tower, which has a value of $326.6m, glass façade work is currently in progress, with over 60% completed. Internal fit-out is also underway in public areas, hotel guest rooms, hotel kitchen areas and apartments, Nakheel says. For the residential apartments, fit-out work is scheduled to be completed soon.

However, despite the progress made to meconstructionnews.com

On Site | 39

date, the Palm Tower has presented Nakheel and its main contractor, Trojan General Contracting, with several challenges during the construction process, the developer points out.

“Constructing a 240m tower in an area with limited space [is a challenge]. There are also large numbers of workers on-site – currently 1,500 – who are working in a highrise environment and are close to a road where there is constant traffic. Furthermore, there are currently two tower cranes in operation on the project; at the peak of construction, there were three tower cranes being used.”

“Windy conditions caused by The Palm’s seafront location meant that there can be big challenges when it comes to lifting materials.

Careful considerations have to be given to the crane angles,” the developer says, highlighting some of the major issues the project team faces. “[In order to mitigate the dangers of

We also ensured that residents and other stakeholders were kept informed of the project’s progress and of any inconveniences – such as temporary road diversions – during the construction process”

working at height], edge protection and security nets on all floors have been installed to prevent the potential challenge of falling objects,” it continues.

In addition, Nakheel says the health and safety team from Trojan General Contracting has a strong presence on-site, with five safety advisors ensuring protocols are followed.

“There are specific safety requirements set out by Trakhees for high-rise buildings. These are all being followed on this project. There are also specific health and safety procedures in place for all visitors and workers on the site.

Since construction began, there have been zero lost-time injuries,” the developer asserts, adding that there are strong procedures in place to monitor noise levels and waste removal.

Given that the project is in such a congested and busy area, another major focus for the project team was ensuring minimal

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disruption to residents and businesses. To this end, Nakheel says it was very keen to work with all stakeholders.

“As with all of our projects, processes are in place to ensure that coordination between contractors and authorities is as effective as possible. We utilised the latest technology approved by the relevant Dubai authorities in the construction of the Palm Tower [to ensure the efficiency and pace of operations].”

“We also ensured that residents and other stakeholders were kept informed of the project’s progress and of any inconveniences – such as temporary road diversions – during the construction process. Night shift work has also been minimised and limited to cleaning and housekeeping, so as not to disturb the surrounding properties and areas,” it adds.

With anticipation for the mixed-use project growing with each passing month, the Dubai-based developer is very keen to emphasise the impact that the project is predicted to have on not just the Palm

Windy conditions caused by The Palm’s seafront location meant that there can be big challenges when it comes to lifting materials.

Careful considerations have to be given to the crane angles”

03 The 52-storey Palm Tower will connect to Nakheel Mall and will have access points to several key attractions on the Palm Jumeirah.

Jumeirah but on Dubai as a whole, with Aqil Kazim, chief commercial officer at Nakheel, highlighting that the project is a reflection of what the market desires.

“The Palm Tower is a lifestyle project and that is what Dubai wants today; the views are naturally going to be waterfront and that is a unique opportunity we have. It’s important to emphasise that this tower is an iconic address on the island, with a five-star hotel, residential apartments, access to the $330m Nakheel Mall and the beach, all connected by the Palm Monorail,” he says, adding that access to the tower and mall is from multiple points.

“There are also five vehicle accesses and three pedestrian entrances, separate to the monorail which is itself connected to the Dubai Tram, which in turn is linked to the Dubai Metro,” he concludes, emphasising the scale of the project and how connected the island is to the rest of Dubai, thus ensuring that it really is the heart of the Palm.

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Threat & Risk Assessment Gap Analysis Security System Design IT/AV Design Master Planning & Development Operational Requirements

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Testing & Commissioning Control Room Design System Integration Policies & Procedures Site Surveys & Audits Crisis Management

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February 2020

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Joylyn Dela Cruz “We need to inspire younger women to become the next inventors, architects and engineers. Be bold now, so that the next young girl will not be afraid to be fearless” Following our special edition dedicated to women in the construction industry, Middle East Consultant continues to share the inspiration and experiences of women working in the male-dominated industry across the GCC. Here, we catch up with Joylyn Dela Cruz, BIM engineer at Aurecon.

What drove you to get into construction and your very first role in the industry?

The year I was born my parents opened a small construction company in the Philippines – it became the source of support for my family.

Construction sites and engineering offices were my playgrounds growing up, and as my parents allowed me into their daily work and many client meetings, it allowed me to receive training at a very early age.

Even back in these early beginnings, I knew that someday I would also be in the construction business. Instead of playing with Barbies, I always picked up LEGO blocks. My fairy tales did not include princes and princesses, but rather engineers and meconstructionnews.com

architects. I was intrigued by how the lines on the drawings or blueprints turned into buildings. Concrete mixtures were like magic potions – I was always amazed by how this material, starting in fluid form, turned into solid structures.

As I grew up, I helped my family with the business, from counting blocks when I was ten into drafting CAD layouts in my teenage years. When it was time to decide on my career path, it was an easy choice – I wanted to fulfil my childhood dream of becoming a member of the construction industry. I decided to take up the challenge and study civil engineering.

Managing a male-dominated company, my mother, a real boss lady, is my personal Wonder Woman. I witnessed how men, be it our clients or employees, listened and followed her orders with respect. I was raised by a strong woman and she inspired me not just to become a builder but also to break barriers and stereotypes.

While studying Civil Engineering at Mapua University, the leading engineering university February 2020

44 | On Site

in the Philippines, I was elected one of the first female Student Council Presidents. An alpha woman leading a pack of men; not too bad, if I do say so myself.

Share

a

brief

about

your

career,

mentioning key achievements.

After university and passing the engineering exam in the Philippines, I continued to work in our family construction business. Deep inside, I was a dreamer always wanting to do more. So I left my comfort zone and took a big risk. The next thing I knew, I was on a plane to Dubai, where engineering and architecture know no limits. I love how this city keeps making things possible, reaching for the sky and going beyond existing limitations. It is bold and ambitious, and every day I don’t get to just dream big, I get to work big.

My career in the Middle East started with iTech Management Consultancy as a BIM engineer, where I was seconded to Bechtel Corporation for the Riyadh Metro project. Currently, as the project BIM lead/ BIM specialist of Aurecon Dubai, I have been responsible for the implementation and management of BIM in the Middle East.

Exemplary and world-class landmark projects such as The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour, the Dubai CoEx Campus for Expo 2020 and the Sharjah House of Wisdom are all in my portfolio.

As a BIM evangelist, I widely share my passion, unique point of view and knowledge at a range of industry events and conferences. I was recently a keynote speaker and panellist at the ME BIM Summits 2018 and 2019, and The BIG 5 – RTA BIM Innovation. I was also a key participant in several internal workshops and events, such as Aurecon’s Limelight Global Forum for young up-and-coming professionals and the Exemplar Forum, an annual global digital knowledge-sharing event for the digitalsavvy. I also currently serve as the Middle East regional lead for Women in BIM. How have you made your mark in the construction industry and what is your proudest moment?

In a project meeting, I was the only woman in the room, surrounded by senior men who February 2020

were almost twice my age. I then smiled as I realised these men listened to my opinion, treated me with respect and accepted me as their equal. This meeting was one of my proudest moments as a professional in the construction industry. It was an example of the small but important victories that women continue to carve out in the industry.

I often find myself to be the ‘young lady’ in a project meeting or at conferences dominated by men. I might be small and young, but my ideas, knowledge and opinions are not. My size, gender, age and race no longer define me. It is my willingness to put my hand up, my ingenuity and my assertiveness that have landed me a place at the table. I didn’t need a fancy title or a fancy degree to take action and make significant contributions. I don’t need

validation and approval to do things right.

Unapologetically, I question whatever simply doesn’t seem right.

What are some of the barriers to women entering the construction industry?

In the 21st century, we rewrote history and made the construction industry genderdiverse. We opened the gates and welcomed women as partners in building a new era.

I’m privileged to be born in a generation where modern means inclusive. I have a supportive family and parents who raised me to be a strong, independent woman. They gave me the freedom to be who I want to be, and I am very thankful for that. My teachers and professors also showed me the potential and possibilities in the engineering field. meconstructionnews.com

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Construction is a tough industry, but as a woman you do have what it takes. You are naturally stronger, braver and used to overcoming challenges and obstacles. Be daring, take that seat at the table and lean in. Also, don’t be afraid to show confidence in your abilities”

The GCC construction sector is still maledominated, but diversity is beginning to increase. If you agree with this statement, comment on what is driving this and how you see the GCC markets changing in the

and mentors who lead by example and highly value diversity in the workplace. For Aurecon, it’s just how we do it, diversity is not an optional extra. As a company we are committed to empowering our people.

coming years. If you do not agree, please share your thoughts/views of the market.

Everyone has a part to play in diversity

We’ve seen great progress in the industry over the past few years. There are now more and more public figures championing diversity.

Female executives in the construction and engineering industry are on the rise. We’ve also seen an increase in female speakers at various conferences and workshops, and this continues to help raise our profile.

Progressive companies like Aurecon prioritise skills and capabilities over gender, race or age. I am lucky to work with managers

and equal pay. What would you like to see

meconstructionnews.com

government authorities and construction firms do to increase diversity and make

won’t be enough without appropriate action.

Construction and consulting firms should strictly comply and work with authorities to hit the gender and diversity goal of the UAE. Besides authorities and construction firms, who else can play a part in increasing gender diversity and balancing pay scales?

For years, we’ve been talking about the gender gap in the construction industry. We talk the talk and set up our gender goals, but the reality is that we haven’t delivered major results yet.

We haven’t entirely owned the steps to a solution at this time.

To solve the gender gap and the inequality that exists, we should change the messages we are sending to our children. Too often young girls’ horizons are narrowed early on. Society needs to change and toy manufacturers should start creating gender-neutral toys. Construction and STEM toys should be inclusive.

Equality should start at home. We should show our children that gone are the days when only men can build and repair. It’s important that everyone encourages their daughters to be anyone they want to be, but never a damsel in distress.

The educational system needs a major shift – schools around the world should expose more students to STEM subjects. Educating our children about the construction industry should include the fact that it is not just a boy’s club. Let’s provide broad and inclusive career options to all students. We need to support organisations like Class of Your Own and the Design, Engineer and Construct curriculum.

They deliver workshops and other student engagement programmes to schools.

For current women in the workforce, we need to inspire younger women to become the next inventors, architects and engineers. Be bold now, so that the next young girl will not be afraid to be fearless.

pay a level playing field in the industry?

UAE laws mandate equal pay and opportunity and prohibit any form of discrimination. As part of UAE Vision 2021, the government provided organisations a Gender Balance Guide: an action for UAE organisations that began in 2017. We’re now in 2020 and we only have a year to hit the goal. These mandates

As a woman in the industry, what has your experience been working in the GCC construction sector? If you have worked outside the GCC, how does your experience here compare with what you’ve experienced and observed in other markets?

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46 | On Site

Moving to Dubai five years ago was a real eyeopener. It exposed me to different cultures and ways of life. Almost 200 nationalities live and work side by side in the city. Dubai sets a high standard in the GCC region when it comes to diversity and inclusion. I also feel that I’m very fortunate to work with companies in the region who value the importance of diversity, inclusion and equality. Also, the people I meet and do business with always uphold a high level of professionalism.

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge women in the construction sector face in GCC countries? How can these challenges be addressed?

Dubai as a city is very dynamic and diverse, and different ways of treating women come into play. However, a protective culture can still be found. Though the intent is to be positive, being too protective sometimes limits a woman’s opportunities for advancement in her professional career. We still have the invisible judgment where women are evaluated on their performance, while men get evaluated on potential.

To break the glass ceiling, the industry needs to be generally more accepting.

Welcoming us in the industry is not enough however, everyone should fully trust women’s capabilities and acknowledge that they can actually do everything men can do. It is not the job of any man or any society to put limits on women.

In

doing

your

job,

what

sort

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discrimination (if any) have you faced, and how did you or your employer address it?

“You wanna be an engineer, you’re not gonna have time for anything else, because you’re gonna have to work ten times harder than the boys.” – Margo, a character on TV series For All Mankind.

Her words struck me and reminded me of an incident I once had at work. A former colleague gave me an unpleasant nickname behind my back – he thought that I had been hired because I’m a woman and the company wanted another muse. Instead of being confrontational, I took it as a challenge. I aimed higher and worked harder. I leaned in February 2020

I am lucky to work with managers and mentors who lead by example and highly value diversity in the workplace. For Aurecon, it’s just how we do it, diversity is not an optional extra.

We are committed to empowering our people”

inclusion is actually everyone’s responsibility to put forward.

The company blueprint for 2021 focuses on driving diversity and inclusion across our people, markets and regions. We are truly committed to removing barriers that have traditionally hindered personal and career growth, in whatever form and wherever they may exist. Aurecon is an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality as awarded by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (Australia), and is a founding member of the Diversity Agenda in New Zealand.

Closer to home in the Middle East, Aurecon is working towards achieving the UAE 2021 Vision, and we have a number of diversity and inclusion execution plans to drive towards this important goal.

How do you personally push for diversity and equal pay in the construction sector?

Are you involved in any groups, councils, etc that focus on increasing diversity and equal pay?

and delivered results. This incident humbly reminds me that I cannot please everyone I encounter, and the only person I should impress is myself. Whenever I do something, I ask myself if I’ll be proud of the result.

Do you feel there’s a limit to how far you can progress within Aurecon?

Aurecon empowers its employees. The company sees the value in fostering and developing talent. The organisation I am part of instils confidence that I can grow with them. Aurecon has also introduced various pathways and career streams, which fosters me to learn and grow, and indeed helps design my career in a tailor-made model specifically for me.

How does Aurecon approach diversity in the workplace? What more can they do to increase diversity?

I am proud to be in an organisation that understands the importance of diversity in the workplace. As we say in Aurecon, “Difference is our strength.” We understand that diversity without inclusion isn’t enough. Therefore,

As an active advocate for women in engineering roles, I was appointed the Middle East regional lead for Women in BIM – a global community with a vision to support, empower and celebrate female BIM and digital construction professionals.

I believe that this helps give a further platform for our voices to be heard and to be a champion of always trying to do the right thing.

What advice would you give to women that are entering the GCC construction industry today?

Construction is a tough industry, but as a woman you do have what it takes to make your mark. You are naturally stronger, braver and used to overcoming challenges and obstacles.

Be daring, take that seat at the table and lean in. Also, don’t be afraid to show confidence in your abilities.

Never stop learning. Get a mentor. Also, be a mentor. This industry needs more women who inspire. Be the superhero your daughter will someday look up to. Set an example that others can imitate. Women have done that for you in the past. Now it’s your turn to do it for those generations coming up behind us. meconstructionnews.com

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Siddharth Mathur PARTNER

p: +971 4 3385806 e: sm@studiolumen.ae

48 | On Site

01 Ezaht Aldoory is managing partner at Estilo Architects.

01

Ezaht Aldoory “Although the residential sector as a whole has experienced sustained pressure over the last two years, the luxury residential market has remained resilient” With year-round sunshine, income taxfree living, high-quality infrastructure and services and its standing as a regional finance, business and entertainment hub, Dubai has maintained its position as an attractive city to live and work.

In addition, a range of initiatives have been announced to further Dubai’s position as a location to reside and invest, such as ease in company formation and ownership laws, new long-term visas for investors, entrepreneurs, special skill talent and outstanding students, along with retirement and short stay transit visas. These reforms are expected to have long-term positive impacts on business sentiment, tourism volumes, FDI and the talent pool the UAE can attract and retain.

Although the residential sector as a whole has experienced sustained pressure over the last two years, the luxury residential market has remained resilient. Estilo Architects designed ten luxury properties in 2019. With only 18% of total residential supply over 2018 and 2019 being villas, this market segment has retained its exclusivity and has not been exposed to market fluctuation and over-supply in the same way as mid-market developments.

I’d also argue that purchasers of luxury property look for quality, customisation and uniqueness more than other market segments, and are happy to pay for these attributes.

Reports for luxury property sales in 2019 have been very positive. According to a recent

February 2020

report by Property Finder, the Dubai luxury housing market, which includes any property above $2.7m, registered 194 transactions in H1 2019, up from 115 transactions for the same period last year. The Palm Jumeirah accounted for the most with 55, with villas on the Frond accounting for 24 of these.

Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty also announced $218m in sales for its luxury properties from Q1 to Q3 2019. The firm said this was 15% higher than in the same period in 2018.

From an investment perspective, Dubai FDI Monitor, the investment development agency of the Dubai economy, said that the emirate attracted some 257 FDI projects worth $12.1bn in the first six months of 2019. Knight Frank’s Wealth Report also then tells us that across the 10 cities surveyed for the report, Dubai luxury properties are amongst the most affordable.

Dubai has taken several steps in 2019 to further improve its standing with countries around the globe, which should lead to increased FDI into its economy in 2020. In addition, the final build-up to Expo 2020 Dubai, and the event itself, are expected to have a pronounced effect on the economy and have a positive knock-on effect on the real estate sector. According to a study conducted by consultancy EY, Expo 2020 is expected to add $33.4bn to the UAE’s economy between 2013 and 2031. meconstructionnews.com